UTSA Housing COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Protocol

Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is committed to an effective and efficient response to residents potentially exposed to COVID-19. HRL will work closely with health officials regarding mitigation steps to confine community spread on campus including self-isolation or quarantine procedures for residents.

Residents that have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, experiences symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19 themselves will adhere to the following guidelines based on the conditions reported:

1. Residents must report close contact with a COVID-positive person, COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 positive test results to Student Health Services (SHS) via the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Tool.
2. After reporting, residents should take the following steps:
   • Quarantine within their unit pending direction from SHS or HRL.
   • Wear a face covering at all times, including inside their living unit.
   • Avoid contact with roommates.
   • Clean and disinfect all points of contact.
   • Notify roommates so that roommates can protect themselves inside their living unit.
3. SHS will respond to the self-report and provide guidance to the resident and HRL as soon as possible.

HRL will utilize the following procedures based on the resident’s self-report and SHS guidance.
 
Quarantine

Residents that report close contact (exposure) to a COVID-19 positive person but not reporting symptoms via UTSA’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool and have not tested positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days unless provided further instruction from SHS or HRL.

 
Isolation

Residents that report COVID-19 related symptoms via UTSA’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool or a positive COVID-19 test must isolate from roommates for 10 days and have no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication; AND other symptoms must have improved before a resident is released from isolation. All COVID-positive students living on campus should consult with SHS or primary care provider. Residents that are exposed to a COVID-positive student will be advised to quarantine for 10 days from the last day of exposure.

 
Quarantine / Isolation Options

1. Off-Campus at evacuation location
2. On-Campus at designated location

Off-Campus Quarantine / Isolation

Residents are strongly encouraged to immediately depart campus to an evacuation location. Quarantine / Isolation away from campus will likely be more convenient and comfortable than remaining on-campus and offers better protection for the rest of the residential community.

Residents in quarantine / isolation off-campus should utilize the following protocol.

1. Notify the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) point of contact of decision to quarantine / isolate off-campus.
2. Relocate to off-campus evacuation location within 24 hours.
   • This is not a permanent move. Residents do not have to move completely out of the current room.
3. Take all items necessary for the quarantine / isolation period.
4. Communicate with Student Health Services (SHS) and return to on-campus housing only when released by SHS.

On-Campus Quarantine / Isolation

HRL will provide detailed instructions regarding quarantine and isolation procedures. Enclosed below is the basic framework for the process.

1. Residents in quarantine on-campus will remain within their current bedroom / living unit.
2. Residents in isolation will relocate to a separate unit.
   • Residents remain within their on-campus bedroom until HRL provides instructions and coordinates their transition to a separate isolation unit.
   • Residents will be assigned individually unless another member of the family unit must also isolate.
   • Residents will not share a bathroom during isolation.
   • Residents must relocate to isolation within 24 hours.
   • Residents should only take the items necessary for the temporary isolation period.
3. Campus Dining will provide meals twice per day.
   • Meals will be charged to resident meal plans.
   • Residents without meal plans will be charged $25 per day. Charged will be posted to the residents student account at the end of the quarantine / isolation period.
   • Meal orders must be submitted at least one day in advance.

Contact within your unit with roommates:

1. Eliminate all face-to-face contact with roommates.
2. Always wear a face covering.
3. Notify roommates of the need to avoid contact.
4. Remain within your bedroom and minimize time spent in common spaces in your living unit.
5. Clean and disinfect any point of contact before and after use.
6. Avoid sharing a bathroom with roommates when possible.
7. Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently.
8. Contact healthcare provider or the Student Health Services Nurse Advice line at 210-458-4142, menu option 3 as necessary based on health conditions.

 

During Quarantine / Isolation On-Campus:

1. Remain inside your room and avoid contact with any other residents.
2. Monitor health conditions daily and complete the daily COVID-19 self-monitoring log to record health symptoms.
   • Submit the isolation or quarantine COVID-19 self-monitoring log to SHS when instructed.
3. Ensure cell phones or other means of communication remain charged and available for use.
4. Hydrate and eat healthy meals.
5. SHS will contact residents daily to confirm health status and provide necessary instruction(s). Follow all guidance from healthcare professionals.
6. Resident will ensure cell phones or other means of communication remain charged and available for use.
7. Continue to wash hands frequently.
8. Clean and disinfect bedroom and door surfaces.
9. Clean and disinfect bathrooms and other shared areas / surfaces before and after use.
10. Adhere to academic continuity procedures as established by the university to facilitate your academic progress.
11. Communicate virtually with family, friends, classmates and remain engaged in university activities.
12. Contact university support services if assistance is required. Refer to the contact list at the end of this checklist for information on many services.
13. Adhere to meal delivery procedures
    • Order meals at least one (1) day in advance.
    • Be available during scheduled delivery times to receive prepared food.
    • Meal delivery will be contactless.
14. Adhere to trash removal procedures
    • Secure all trash within a fully enclosed trash bag for disposal.
    • Double bag the trash to prevent rips, tears or damage to the bag that would allow trash to escape.
    • Place trash outside the unit no more than one hour before the designated trash pickup schedule.
    • Trash should never be placed outside the unit the night before to reduce the presence of animals.
15. Laundry equipment will be unavailable during isolation. Prepare enough clothing for the entire length of isolation.
    • In the event this is not possible, HRL has arranged pickup / delivery laundry service.
    • Residents will contract directly with the service provider at their own risk. Residents are responsible for the entire cost of the service.
    • HRL will not escort laundry service providers to the pick-up / drop off locations. Laundry Service employees will check in at the residential community front desk to gain access to the community.  They will then pick-up and deliver laundry outside of the resident’s unit door.

Release from Quarantine / Isolation:

1. SHS in coordination with HRL will release residents from quarantine / isolation.
2. Residents in isolation must remain in isolation pending the end of quarantine for any roommates.
3. Continue to monitor health conditions.